Picks: Phelps a Phavorite, But Not a Runaway, in 100 Fly

Here’s the next in our series of Olympic race-by-race previews. Click here to see all of the previews.

Men’s 100 Fly Preview

The 100 fly at this year’s Olympics all of a sudden has become a much better race than the runaway that it looked like it might be a year ago. Michael Phelps is still clearly the favorite, but this is going to be another barn-burner of a finish like the infamous race between him and Milorad Cavic in 2008.

After a few down seasons in 2010 and 2011, late last year everything seemed to spark again for Cavic, and at the European Championships he was spectacular with a 51.45 that currently sits him 3rd in the world. There may be some small concern about going so fast so late in the year, but what we saw from his American Club Wolverine teammates, they still swam pretty well, as a whole, at US Trials, after having a fast in-season meet as well.

But this year, if anybody’s going to challenge Phelps, I think it will be one of two other men. The first is Tyler McGill. As compared to his countrymate, this will be McGill’s first final of the meet, while it will be Phelps’ 6th. Many elite swimmers have reported that one of the biggest changes from the 2008 suit era (though at that point, they weren’t totally out of control yet) is the fatigue factor by the end of a long meet. In full body suits, it didn’t set in nearly as much as it does back in jammers. McGill’s confidence is riding high after he came within two-tenths of picking off MP in Omaha.

We know Phelps wasn’t tapered at Trials, but we have to assume that McGill wasn’t on a full taper either. He was better than his 51.3 at last year’s Worlds, and the assumption is a swimmer at his age will make some improvements from year-to-year, especially as he moves further-and-further into long course specific training.

The other is a man who’s going to jump up and surprise a lot of fans who have been focusing on just US swimming: Poland’s Konrad Czerniak, the silver-medalist from Shanghai. He’s the youngest contender in this race, having just turned 22 on Thursday. He hasn’t done anything significant this year, but he already had his spot on the Olympic Team locked up so that could work to his advantage big-time. He was still good enough for a 52.0 in March, though, so it’s not as though he hasn’t felt that speed since Worlds, either.

Kenya’s Jason Dunford, now having left Stanford and training in Europe, is in a similar position. He hasn’t been better than a 52.4 in 2012, but was a full second faster than that time at Worlds last year and was automatically qualified for the Olympics coming out of Shanghai.

A pair of Europeans, Germany’s Steffen Deibler and Evgeny Korotyshkin, are having very good years. I like Korotyshkin out of the pair as more likely to get to a 51-low to medal. Deibler, however, didn’t look maxed out in any of his races at German Trials other than maybe this 100 fly, so he could still have some big taper left. Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh wisely scratched this race in 2012 (he swam it at Worlds in 2011) to focus on his better medal chances in the 200 fly and the IM’s.

South Africa’s Chad Le Clos is another swimmer to watch. He’s been crazy-fast in the last year, and even though he finished near the bottom-half of the semi-finals last year, he’s got a 51 in him this year. Like Phelps, though, he’ll come into this race after a brutal meet schedule that will include the 200 IM, 400 IM, and the 200 fly. It will be a challenge for him to sneak through the semi-final, just after getting out of the 200 IM final (that is, if he makes the 200 IM final).

Another 200 butterflier that will be a new factor this year in the 100 is Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda. He’s the world’s number-two in the longer distance, and though he’s not quite as good in the 100, he should semi-final at least.

There’s lots of opportunities in this race, with 4 semi-finalists from last year’s meet not entered in the Olympics. Among those ready to seize the chance is Australia’s Christopher Wright. In 2011, he doesn’t have a single record in the Swimming Australia database for this event, instead focusing on his 200 fly last season. But this year, he put up an outstanding 51.6 at Aussie Trials. If you’re looking for an upset pick to put on the medals stand, he’s it.

As far as a darkhorse to make the final, it’s Belgiums Francois Heersbrandt. He’s already had a fantastic swim earlier this year, but it was in January. He seemed to put only a small rest into his 100 fly at the European Championships, which says he’s still got a strong taper. He could get into the 51-range that it’s going to take to final at this year’s Olympics. Last year, he was 17th in the prelims and didn’t even get out of the first round.

Full top 8 picks, with best 2012 times:

1. Michael Phelps (USA) – 51.14
2. Konrad Czerniak (Poland) – 52.07
3. Tyler McGill (USA) – 51.32
4. Milorad Cavic (Serbia) – 51.45
5.  Christopher Wright (Australia) – 51.67
6. Jason Dunford (Kenya) – 52.43
7. Steffen Deibler (Germany) – 52.00
8. Takuro Fujii (Japan) – 51.91
Darkhorse: Francois Heersbrandt (Belgium) – 52.29

Women’s 100 Fly

This women’s 100 fly is a heavy-weight battle that will be one of the races of the meet, alongside the women’s middle-distance freestyles.

The two women in this field who have been swimming unbelievably well this year are American Dana Vollmer and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom. Vollmer has 6 of the world’s 7 fastest times in 2012, and Sjostrom has the other.

Sjostrom is also the World Record holder in the event, even though she missed the podium last year in Shanghai. Sjostrom has been lights-out this year as a whole; but surprisingly as she’s become one of the world’s best freestylers, her butterfly hasn’t really matched the pace. Make no mistake – she’s still one of the world’s top 3 100 butterfliers without a doubt. Vollmer’s biggest advantage might be that her scheduled is pared way down this year – this 100 fly is her only Olympic event, along with only two, and maybe three, relay spots.

As good as Vollmer has been in the 100 fly this year, that ugly timing of the American Olympic Trials could still rear its head (though she thinks she’s going to get to a 55 this year – which nobody else will be able to do).

China’s Lu Ying typically has pretty big tapers, unlike many of her Chinese counterparts, from Chinese Nationals. If she cuts off as much time this year as she did last, then a 56.5 is in her reach too, which makes her a gold medal contender as well.

Australia’s Alicia Coutts is the oft-forgotten swimmer in this battle. But she has one special trick in her bag, that is not always easy in this women’s 100 fly – she hits her finals swims. She did it at Worlds, she did it at Australian Trials; she does it in the big meets. She can always count on dropping half-a-second or better in the finals of this event, so if she’s close she’ll make the competition very nervous.

The British women, spurred on by stiff domestic competition, were lights-out at British Trials. Ellen Gandy and Fran Halsall were 57.2 and 57.5, respectively. Halsall will likely have her focus on the sprint freestyles, so I like Gandy’s medal chances as the better of the pair.

In the revolving China 100 fly door, Jiao Liuyang took the second spot over last year’s 5th-place finisher Liu Zige, meaning that the Chinese must expect that she’ll be better than a 57.5 in this race.

There’s just a glut of names in this race. Yuka Kato from Japan is swimming at a whole new level this year, and went a 57.7 at Japan’s Trials – a full second faster than she was at Worlds last year. The United States’ Claire Donahue didn’t have her breakout until after last year’s World Championship meet, but went a 57.5 at Trials.

Australia’s Jessicah Schipper doesn’t get all of the glam of some of the other top 100 butterfliers (she’s more recognized for her 200), but she did finish 7th at Worlds last year. Even with a deep field at Australia’s Olympic Trials, she took the 2nd spot with the best 100 time she’s swum since 2009. She’s had some health issues this year, though, which may have derailed her chances a bit. Sinapore’s Tao Li, a finalist in 2008, looks like she’s gotten back on her feet a little bit after a few tumultuous years of hopping-around coaches, and is still young enough to be on an upward climb.

In 2011, Dana Vollmer was able to add four-tenths between the semi-finals and the finals and still win gold. She won’t have that luxury this year, and I think that an upset is coming.

1. Sarah Sjostrom (Sweden) – 56.79
2. Dana Vollmer (USA) – 56.42
3. Alicia Coutts (Australia) – 57.59
4. Lu Ying (China) – 57.48
5. Ellen Gandy (UK) – 57.25
6, Jiao Liuyang (China) – 57.80
7. Claire Donahue (USA) – 57.57
8. Fran Halsall (UK) – 57.56
Darkhorse: Martina Granstrom (Sweden) – 58.07

In This Story

78
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

78 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Neptune2029
11 years ago

The McGill/Lochte thing should be a non-issue. McGill has been top-3 in the world the last three years and beat Lochte at trials to get the individual spot. Seems like McGill should get the prelim swim unless he chooses not to.

11 years ago

Jason Dunford and Korotyshkin are training in Europe with and A.D.N. team. They will fight for medal! Take a look at ADN facebook and twitter pages to know something more about this athletes!

REAL
11 years ago

I can see the argument from both sides. McGill beat Lochte at Trials so should get the heat swim. But the heat of the 4x100m Medley is the MORNING of the 100m Fly Final. Surprisngly the relay heats are not on the last day of competition like the relay final is.

This changes things a lot!

McGill is a 2011 World Champs bronze medallist and is ranked 2nd in the world so far this year, so if all goes well he has a legitamate chance of a medla, if not gold, at the Olympics. Does he want to get out of bed early on the morning of the biggest day of his life, and swim a heat of a… Read more »

JackedAndTan
Reply to  Braden Keith
11 years ago

What’s “REAL”ly interesting about this is if McGill beats Phelps in the 100 fly final – gold medal or not – and Lochte’s already swum the relay prelim. That would – depending on times – put McGill or Lochte on the final relay with no medal for Phelps!

gosharks
11 years ago

My point (which I guess I didn’t actually state) was that no proof has been provided showing that Lochte is replacing McGill on the relay! This notion was pulled out of thin air.

Believe me, I would also be outraged, but I’m not concerned because it’s not going to happen. McGill will swim the relay.

gosharks
11 years ago

Wow, one very vague and completely off-topic comment from Kevin, and everyone on this site loses their lunch.

bears for lunch
Reply to  gosharks
11 years ago

Imagined getting fired from your job and being replaced by a 19-year-old girl. This is the kind of outrage that we are faced with presently. Let`s not forget that Lochte can`t even go under 25 seconds in his 50m fly.

hkswimmer
Reply to  bears for lunch
11 years ago

He can’t go under 25 for 50m fly? He opens his 200IMs in under 25…

Reply to  hkswimmer
11 years ago

yep, his fastest official 50 fly is 25.09, which is slower than the opening leg of 200 im. speaking of 50’s, his fastest 50 free was 23.35, and his fastest 50 underwater dolphin is like 22.6, according to a GMM interview.

we can safely say that lochte never takes 50 sprints seriously.

Kori
11 years ago

I’d still pick Dana to win the women’s 100 butterfly. And even though I feel the same way with Michael in the men’s fly, it’s a bit more of a toss-up for me and not because of any particular swimmer necessarily. Even during the down years of 2009 and 2010, the one thing that seemed to be working for Michael was his front-end speed. Now that he’s doing the 400IM again, I wonder if it has diminished that speed a little. He’s going to need every bit of it he can get.

This race has usually been too close for comfort for him, so…one of these days, you figure he might find himself on the other side of a close… Read more »

Lisa
Reply to  Kori
11 years ago

Does anyone know if anyone other then Michael has broken 51 in textile in the last few years?

Lisa
Reply to  Lisa
11 years ago

just curious….

Rafael
Reply to  Lisa
11 years ago

If you count 97.. Crocker did..

After that Only Phelps.. and If I am correct.. Only Once

Rafael
Reply to  Rafael
11 years ago

typo.. not 97, I meant 07..

Lisa
Reply to  Rafael
11 years ago

Crocker has the textile best at 50.4 from 2005

Phelps broke 51 in 2007, 2010 (2x) and 2011….

Jean Michel
11 years ago

Strange decision from Troy ! i totally agree with u all ! still , with all respect to Mc Gill’s amazing ability on butterfly , we all know that Lochte is also a fast butterfly swimmer ( Dubai 2010 medley relay as a proof ) . Now , we will see what’s the best outcome coming from the heats .

Lisa
Reply to  Jean Michel
11 years ago

ahh is this seriously an offical decision?

Disappointed if it is, its not for the good of the team its for the good of ONE team member and his coach if its true.

Liliana
Reply to  Lisa
11 years ago

Let’s wait and see…this is too hilarious to be true.

Kevin
11 years ago

I’m really frustrated that Lochte is getting put on two relays, not just the 800 free relay. He doesn’t deserve a spot, it’s Greg Troy just kissing his ass so that his star gets another medal and an extra prize bonus in his endorsement contract. Absolutely despicable. Greg, you should be ashamed of yourself.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Kevin
11 years ago

Ryan Lochte can be very useful in the men’s 4X100 free relay but I agree he doesn’t deserve a spot in the men’s 4X100 medley relay. Why would he be in the heats instead of Tyler McGill? Tyler McGill is one of two american qualified swimmers in the 100 fly so he deserves to swim in this relay.

Lisa
Reply to  Kevin
11 years ago

Is this just speculation is based on official info? What did I miss?

That’s not fair. That’s mcGills only real shot at gold he should protest…

Kori
Reply to  Lisa
11 years ago

Yes, what did we miss and which relay are you talking about, Kevin? Questions that need to be answered BEFORE people post another 30 comments of outrage below, because they could be screaming over nothing.

bears for lunch
Reply to  Kevin
11 years ago

Damn, looks like I`m going to have to set my Ryan Lochte t-shirt on fire.

nostradamus
Reply to  Kevin
11 years ago

okay, then phelps shouldn’t be on the 400 free relay then either. also, did you see short course championships when lochte crushed everyone on the fly leg of the medley? get your head out of your a** and stop being a hater.

Rafael
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

it´s not being a hater

Mcgill has only ONE SHOT for gold overall to be realistic… and it will be taken of him just because they will give one more gold to Locthe.

Lisa
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

The difference is Phelps has still posted the third fastest time of the US in the 100free this year, considering how slow the other times were they kinda need him. The medley relay is a whole different story, McGill was faster than Lochte. There are only two spots, not 6 or 8. Lochte is going to be tired by the end of the meet, why take McGills spot… McGill is perfectly capable of helping the USA qualify for finals, they do not need Lochte for that.

Also…get real second short course is not long course. Phelps is the greatest swimmer in history, but he’s not done a whole lot in short course and doesn’t mean a damn thing in… Read more »

Liliana
Reply to  Lisa
11 years ago

Lol you beat me to it! 🙂

Liliana
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

Perhaps no one informed you that a) Olympics are long course events, b) Phelps is second fastest in 100 free this year, c) Lochte is slower than McGill in 100 fly and d) he’ll be much more tired than McGill because of his hectic schedule…

nostradamus
Reply to  Liliana
11 years ago

yes, he may be the second fastest, but he didn’t qualify at the trials. you can’t tell me that if lochte had focused his attention at trials he wouldn’t have beaten mcgill. mcgill beat him by 5 tenths. yes, i know short course is not long course, i’m not a half-wit. who knows, maybe mcgill asked for this. Trust the coaches, and trust the best swimmer in the world to get the job done.

Lisa
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

Yes cause any first time olympian woudl willingly throw away their only shot at a gold medal.

Liliana
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

I can tell you that if Phelps focused his attention he would have beaten both Lochte and Clary in 200 back, so we can go on and on like that forever. The fact is Lochte is slower than McGill in 100 fly and no amount of your unconditional love for Lochte can change that.

bears for lunch
Reply to  nostradamus
11 years ago

I wonder if Nostradamus wears a ridiculous grill like his idol.

Josh
Reply to  Kevin
11 years ago

Kevin, relay decisions are not going to be made midweek of the first week of taper camp. Swimmers will often look like crap the first few days of taper and start to sharpen up as camps go on.

Particularly in the 100 and 200 free, because there are so many options, I fully expect that there will be time trials a few days before the meet starts once the team is settled in London to get a better idea of who might be sharp, and I would expect Lochte to make a case in the 400 free relay. (For example, if PVK didn’t hit his taper at Trials and he’s in form after taper camp, you want to see… Read more »

Kevin
Reply to  Josh
11 years ago

I’m getting a few attacks again for my post of Troy adding Lochte to the 4 by 100 relay with doubts on my facts. I received similar attacks when I commented on an article published on this same website a few months back that was about Phelps and his odds of swimming the 400 IM. I mentioned how much Phelps and Clary resent each other and are not friends. Some people blew up just because they’ve never read or heard any media comments or articles about their nasty relationship. Their initial thoughts were probably, “I’ve never seen or heard that, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” And look what we all have just witnessed in a recent Clary interview… Read more »

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

Read More »